Why I don’t swag sweep at BEA (aka: My TBR Shelf) and OS Teaser #46

I spent a fabulous three days at Book Expo America week before last. As a matter of fact, exactly two weeks ago right now, I was signing copies of Personal Demons on the BEA floor. On Tuesday, I was lucky enough to be able to sign finished copies of Original Sin with Kiki Hamilton, who was signing ARCs of her The Faerie Ring.

Kiki was smart enough to bring her camera (whereas, I wasn’t). Here is a picture of our signing line! That’s my adorable Team Luc Fangirl Captain, Harmony, right in front!

And here’s more line:

And more line:

The line was so long it wrapped around the ropes and behind the other lines! When our hour was up and we still had a line, they moved us to an overflow area so we could keep signing. :p

Thanks so much to everyone who came out! It was humbling and thrilling! (I know you were all there for Kiki, but just let me bask in it, ‘kay?) I have to honestly say that the whole BEA experience was a blur. A good blur…for me, at least. But…

I’ve heard the stories.

Before I even left, I was hearing stories of people cutting in signing lines and being bullied in lines for book giveaways. Last week, at the start of our After Dark Tour, I was able to hang out with other authors who had been at BEA and heard stories of people getting bit. On Friday, I was at a local signing for Melissa Marr and heard the same story from a group of bloggers.

I don’t know if the stories are true or not, and I’m not equipped to comment either way. What I do know is there were a lot of people angling for free books. I wasn’t one of them. The thing about books is, there are sooo many great ones and so little time. I don’t generally request ARCs because I know the likelihood that I’ll actually get the opportunity to read it prior to release is almost none. If I was to take an ARC, which is intended for pre-publication promotion, and not read it before publication, I’d feel horribly guilty. And honestly, if it’s a book I really want, I’m going to buy it at release anyway to support the author.

Just to give you an idea, here is my YA To Be Read shelf.

This is just the shelf I keep near my writing area. In my library, are more shelves with adult titles I haven’t gotten to yet. And, on my Nook are more, including my amazing agent sister, Hannah Moskowitz’s Invincible Summer, Malinda Lo’s Ash and Huntress, Kirstin Hubbard’s Like Mandarin, and more. Plus, on my hard drive are more books. Mostly sequels that writer friends have sent. Some of these amazing books have sat right there, on the shelf, Nook or hard drive, for the better part of a year. I want to read them. I really do. But I also have three jobs, including writing my own books, and reality is, there’s just not time to get to them all.

So…I don’t run around the BEA floor collecting new books to add to the stack. I’d just feel too guilty.

***Addendum, 7:15 pm: I started to post this as a comment, then decided it should be part of the post. I'm so very glad I was able to attend BEA. I hope to do it again on a regular basis. Meeting all the people I feel like I know so well from Twitter, FB and this blog in and of itself made the trip worth it in my eyes. I'm also not criticizing those who brought books home to read or for giveaways. It's just not something I felt compelled to do.

And, on that note, y’all want today’s Original Sin Teaser? I thought so! Here’s a glance inside Matt’s head:

#OriginalSin p135 Matt: Taylor was living dangerously for a while, but she seems to have come around. I was right on the edge of putting duck sauce down the front of her shirt until Angelique showed up.

But I have to say, staying out of the changing rooms while Lili was trying things on—especially at Victoria’s Secret—took all the angelic restraint I could muster.

Hmm…

And…if you want a glance into Luc’s don’t forget Teen Book Scene’s Original Sin Blog tour. Yesterday’s post, over at Lost for Words! was an interview with Luc. Today’s is an Original Sin review by the lovely Jamie over at  YA Addict!

BEA wrap up and Original Sin Teaser #39!

So, wow! No one told me BEA was a contact sport! My BEA is officially over. I'm on my way home this morning. I would love to share pictures of my three days in NYC, but I didn't take any. =(

But, my first event of BEA week was Teen Author Carnival on Monday night, which started out with the cab ride from Hell. I mean, is it just me, or is it a problem when the cabbie asks the passenger for directions? My cabbie COULD NOT find the library that TAC was being held at, and I sort of panicked and spam texted everyone I knew who would be there to help me figure out what to tell him. What I didn't know was that the event is like two floors underground in this really cool library, and there's no cell service down there. O_O

Anyway, we finally stumbled on the library just in the nick of time, because I was supposed to moderate the Kick-Ass Females panel at 4:10. Thankfully, I made it and a fun time was had by all. I met tons of bloggers and authors that I feel like I know really well, but have never actually met. Oh, the wonders of social networking.

After, a group from FinePrint/Nancy Coffee Literary Agencies went out for pizza and I got to hang out with my fab agent, Suzie Townsend, Joanna Volpe, Kody Keplinger, my agent sisters Hannah Moskowitz, Rebecca Behrens and Arlaina Tibensky, and assistants Brooks and Sara.

Tuesday morning I signed TONS of finished copies of Original Sin in the formal autographing area in the back corner of the BEA exibit floor. I couldn't believe all the people who stood in line for Kiki Hamilton (The Faerie Ring) and I. The line was so long we couldn't get through it in an hour, so they moved us to an overflow table where we signed until the books were gone (at least 100). It was so fun to see everyone! I was so happy Dawn Metcalf (Luminous) came to say hi, as well as Kristi (The Story Siren) Harmony (Team Luc Fangirl Captain and blogger extraordinaire) Darla and Sandy all the way from California, and Lynsey from the UK. My only regret: I didn't get a finished copy of OS for myself. It's the first time I've seen my finished copies and I wanted to scan through one. Thankfully my roomie, the fabulous Kody Keplinger (The Duff) stood in line for a copy, so I was able to look through hers.

Yesterday morning I was able to have breakfast with my critique partner, Andrea Cremer (Nightshade). It was so fun to have a chance to sit and relax and catch up on everything. She is a very busy lady, with lots of projects in the works, which I know makes all of you VERY happy =)  Then I was off to my Personal Demons signing at the RWA booth, where I signed like a crazy person and the books were gone in a flash. I hope you all enjoy your new books!

So, now I'm on my way home. My daughter graduates junior high tonight, so the excitement continues. =)

But...I know you want the teaser. This is a short one. You all remember Rhenorian, the head of Security in the Abyss, who's sent to bring Luc back. He's got his eye on Luc and he's just waiting for his chance:

#OriginalSin p101 Rhen: “My, my, Lucifer—all the pretty young things. Philandering is a sin, in case you’ve forgotten.”

Tomorrow I have a fun cover reveal for you...and maybe another contest. So don't forget to check back!

BEA Update and OS teaser #37

Wow! The last two days have been a wild ride. It started Sunday night when I got to the airport hoping to get on a red-eye to Newark on standby. Good news, I did. Bad news: I can't sleep on airplanes, so I got here exhausted on Monday morning. The nice people at the hotel got a room ready for me by noon and I showered and changed before Teen Author Carnival. Sadly, I do not have any pictures to share with you, but it was an amazing event. I moderated a panel with so many fabulous authors, my head nearly exploded. I had Elizabeth Scott, Malinda Lo, Andrea Cremer, Courtney Allison Moulton, Michelle Hodkin, Kirsten Hubbard and Carole Estby Dagg. Very fun! I also met amazing authors, David Levithan, Karsten Knight, and zillions of others. And I fangirled Gayle Forman again, cuz...you know...I pretty much couldn't help myself. But the most fun was putting faces to all the blogger and Twitter friends I've made who stopped in to say hi. =)

Today was equally amazing. I signed in the autographing area with Kiki Hamilton, who's book, The Faerie Ring, comes out in September.

Thanks to everyone who came out! It was amazing. There were so many people that we couldn't get to everyone in an hour and they moved us to an overflow table where we signed until the books were gone.

(Pictures courtesy of my omnipotent uberagent, Suzie Townsend.)
I'm finally back at my hotel relaxing for a few hours, then dinner.

Tomorrow, I'm having breakfast with my incomparable critique parnter, Andrea Cremer, then signing Personal Demons in the RWA booth #3774.

Whew!

But after looking at those books, y'all want the teaser, yes? Okay...

#OriginalSin p90 Frannie: Being in Luc’s arms on the rocky edge of the quarry brings memories back. I glance over at the rope swing, remembering the night I brought Luc out here, under the stars. I shudder with the memory. It wasn’t our first kiss, but it was definitely the most romantic—and the most romantic night of my life up till that point. Something about the stars, maybe. But more than that, Luc let down his guard and showed me who he really was that night. I’m pretty sure that’s when I fell in love with him, though I never would have admitted it to myself at the time.

 

So, more from BEA tomorrow! Thanks again to everyone who stopped by to see me last night and today!

The BEA edition: Where you can find me! (Everywhere!) And...Original Sin Teaser #36

It's BEA week! This is my very first BEA and I'm soooo excited! As you read this, I am sitting in my hotel lobby in New York City waiting for them to have a room ready for me. (I flew all night and can't go anywhere till I shower :\) I’m hoping to be able to meet as many of you as possible, so if you’re going to be around, here’s where you can find me:

Monday (that’s tonight!): 4:00pm, Teen Author Carnival, Mulberry Street Library, 10 Jersey Street. I’ll be moderating the Kick Ass Females panel. Panelists include my amazing critique partner, Andrea Cremer (Nightshade), as well as Courtney Allison Multon (Angelfire), Malinda Lo (Ash, Huntress), Michelle Zink (Prophesy of the Sisters, Guardian of the Gate), Elizabeth Scott (Between Here and Forever), Carole Estby Dagg (The Year We Were Famous), and Michelle Hodkin (The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer) Admission is free and there are other panels going on as well, including amazing authors like Gayle Forman, David Levithan, Kody Keplinger, Leah Clifford and my lovely agent sister Hannah Moskowitz, so if you’re in town, you don’t want to miss this!

Tuesday: 2:30-3:30, I will be signing finished copies of Original Sin at Table #12 in the formal autographing area. This is your VERY FIRST chance to get your hands on a signed finished copy.

Wednesday: 1:00-1:30, I will be signing Personal Demons at the RWA booth (#3774). If you pick up a copy of Original Sin Tuesday, but haven’t read Personal Demons yet, DON’T OPEN IT! The first line of OS is a total spoiler for PD. But, if you stop by the RWA booth, you’ll have a matched set, so you can start from the beginning. =)

I’d be thrilled if y’all would stop in and see me at one, two, or all three events!

And now for our Original Sin teaser. I mentioned Friday that we meet some new characters in Original Sin. In our last teaser we met Chase. Today we meet Lili…and that’s all I have to say about that. ;p Once again, this scene takes place at the library, where Luc is working.

#OriginalSin p88 Luc: Lili nods. “So, you work here?” She scans the stacks before settling her gaze on me.

“As of today.”

Her eyes light up as she smiles for real. “So you’re not just a pretty face.”

I laugh out loud and Mavis scowls at me over the top of her glasses.

Lili’s eyes flick to Mavis. She cringes and lowers her lashes. “Sorry,” she whispers.

“My fault.” I give her another reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll see you later?”

She nods and slips through the door.

Hope to see some of you this week! Come find me and say hi!

Original Sin Teaser #4 and BEA news!

Helloooo! How are you today? I am epically awesome.

Are you going to BEA? Are you??? Because, guess what?

I AM!!!!

Squee!! I'll be signing with the equally epically awesome Kiki Hamilton (The Faerie Ring, Tor Teen 9/27/11) at table 12 from 2:30-3:30 on Tuesday May 24th! Please, please, PLEASE come see us if you're there! Otherwise it will just be Kiki and me signing books to each other, and that would be a little embarrasing. Seriously, I'm dying to meet y'all, so please stop by!

So, today's Original Sin teaser once again features Matt, who, you'll remember from the last two teasers, is Frannie's freshly appointed guardian angel. This is one of my favorite passages from Original Sin, and truly captures Matt's feelings for Luc. ;p

#OriginalSin p14 Matt to Luc: “I’ve been dying to smite someone, and nothing would make me happier than if it was you.”

I'd love to hear what you think. Feel free to leave spoiler free questions in comments and I promise to answer. And, if you haven't yet, don't forget to enter to win a signed Original Sin ARC and a signed copy of the NYT bestseller, Demon Glass, by Rachel Hawkins here.

BEA and Ms. Book Sniper

Thanks so much for all the Personal Demons cover love. =) You guys totally rock. I can’t wait (but, of course, I have to) to see the “official” cover. Hopefully sometime next month. I’ll share it as soon as I have it. :p

I’m very excited, and also a little nervous, for Personal Demons to be out in the world. I love my characters so much it’s like they’re members of my family. I’m thrilled beyond words that you are all going to get to meet them soon. I hope you love them as much as I do! Check out what Ms. Book Sniper had to say about Personal Demons. :D

Today is officially the last day of BEA. Still lots of fabulous things going on in New York—panels and signings—and I wish I was there. But I’m not. So I’ve been writing. I hope you have too. If you’re participating in the Official BEA Left-Out-Author Pity Party, then comment below with your word count from yesterday.

And DON’T FORGET! Tomorrow is the last day to enter my May Debut Give-Away. Enter to win you very own signed Personal Demons ARC, or other May YA debuts!

Official BEA Left-Out-Author Pity Party

BEA officially starts today in New York City. Some of my friends are there, speaking on panels and signing ARCs. My fabulous critique partner, Andrea Cremer (Nightshade, Oct. 2010) is speaking with Holly Black and Richelle Mead on the "Paranormal Fiction for Teens" panel tomorrow. Melissa Marr is speaking on the "YA Authors Crossing Over" panel on Thursday, and Kody Keplinger (The DUFF, Sept. 2010) is speaking on the "YA Authors of YA Editor's Buzz" panel, also on Thursday. If you're there, go see them and say hi for me!

I’m here. Not there. My ARCs were supposed to be out for BEA, but, due to circumstances beyond our control, that didn’t happen. If they were there, I might have gone to visit them and rub elbows with some amazing authors. Instead, I’ve decided to sponsor the Official BEA Left-Out-Author Pity Party for all us authors not at BEA this year.

Here’s how our pity party is going to work. We’re going to bring our cupcakes, and Skittles, and our coffee too, cuz we’re going to be busy. While our author friends are in New York, not writing, we’re going to. Write, that is. A lot. I plan to finish my first draft of book three in the Personal Demons series. (another 50K words or so)

Today and every day for the rest of the week, stop in and post your word count for the day in comments. On Friday afternoon, we’ll total up all our words and see how productive we’ve been. =)

What do you think? Are you up for the Official BEA Left-Out-Author Pity Party?

And, also, check back tomorrow for some fun Personal Demons cover news. :p